Strangely enough the story below elicited several responses along the lines of "many French people cannot afford 15 euros to eat in a restaurant". That was to entirely miss the point of the story: the difference in standard of living between a rich western country and war torn Afghanistan. Of course there are poor people here but the fact that the restaurant catering to workmen and commercials is pretty well full every day suggests that plenty of French working people can afford it.
Today (Saturday) is the last day of the collection of foodstuffs for the Restos de Coeur, a benevolent organisation which hands out necessities to needy people.
We made a cash donation to the local branch via Mains Tendues 82 earlier in the year and the president explained to us what they do and who their clients are.
Around half of their clients are under 25 years of age, and 38% of them minor children from poor, mainly monoparental families. The young adults include students, unemployed or those in poorly paid part-time jobs. Elderly clients are often pensioners living alone or on small incomes. Unemployed, "sans abris", large families struggling with household rents and utilities, school costs and transport are all typical clients.
In many supermarkets today volunteers in their pink gilets will be hoping to meet their target of 8000 tons of donations, equivalent to eight million meals.
The 72000 volunteers working throughout the year have noticed an increase in the quality of goods donated, reflecting often the things people buy for their own use. As well as foodstuffs RdC ask for hygiene and grooming products which can be expensive.
But as one shopper remarked yesterday "I have what I need, so I want to share a little with those who do not".
